I’ve seen this statement all over lately, and at this point, I’m taking it as a sign and adopting it as my 2012 motto! It was either this one, or the “Keep calm and eat cupcakes” poster. And that just wouldn’t jive with my weight watchers plan.

Did you know the poster was first created back in 1939 by the British government at the beginning of WWII to raise the morale of the British public in the event of an invasion? In light of the chaos a homeschooling family can face, I thought it was a perfect motto for the year!

I love the crown on this one as well because it reminds me to keep my focus on my King and that if I’m walking in the Spirit I can remain calm! It’s when I start walking in my flesh that sparks start to fly. Awhile back I memorized James 1:20

“for the wrath of man [mom] does not produce the righteousness of God”.

(If you haven’t memorized this verse yet, I challenge you to try it! I think you’ll find that God is good to pop this verse into your head at the most opportune times!)

Speaking of yearly mottos…

Last week I was so encouraged by Ruth at The Better Mom and her challenge to create a family mission for 2012!

I really desire to live my life purposefully. To be deliberate in my parenting, teaching, and care for our home. It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, and to view our homemaking as a chore instead of a blessing. I really don’t want my children to remember their mama as being tired, crabby and dissatisfied with all the blessings that God has given her.

So this year, I’m resolving to be deliberate in my actions! To live life in a purposeful manner, to be present and thankful in each day!

That means prayerfully considering commitments, and even having the courage to say no to some things.

I’m not sure if I’ve told you or not, but I’m a “yes” person. It kills me to say no to people, and with the increase in my blog traffic, it’s been something that I’ve had to start doing. I’d love to make everything for everyone, but it’s just not possible. Not without sacrificing something else. Namely my time with my family.

So this year I’m focusing on priorities, I’m keeping God first, and family close behind.

With that said, I thought it would be a great idea to come up with a plan for our whole family! I’m sure they’re thrilled that I pull them into all my crazy notions. Since I’m not one to re-create the wheel, I found something that really spoke to my heart at Hither to and Hence Forth. So with a little modifications, I present to you…

We will encourage, respect, and honor one another by speaking in a gentle and kind manner.

We will practice gratitude by taking care of our belongings and being thankful in all circumstances.

We will strive to be peacemakers in all situations and be quick to apologize and forgive one another.

And finally, we commit to replacing the toilet paper roll if found empty.

Our family verse for 2012:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Just because I like to have visible reminders…

I created this printable of our family mission statement. In the event you’d like to share this with your family, I’ve made it available as a free download for you!

(Don’t worry, the toilet paper bit isn’t on the printable version, that probably just happens at our house.)

32 Comments

HeatherJanuary 12, 2012 at 12:45 am

This is just wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing with all of us. My husband and I are going on a date tomorrow night to do our family planning for the year and to make our vision statement. (I know we’re a little late but we do have an infant in the house and 3 other children as well. Little baby doesn’t understand the concept of a new year and isn’t sleeping so well so this is the best we could do!) I will print this out and bring it with us. Thanks so much! Oh and I love the one that says, “Keep calm and pretend this is on the lesson plans!”

How funny! I just began drafting a post last night on our finally completed purpose statement when I realized that in doing so I was following part of it (time for myself) but neglecting another aprt of it (prioritizing the other memebrs of my family – b/c an overtired mom the following day would help no one.) So, I will get ours up on our blog and on our wall at some point. More important to me is living by it.

Also, I love the idea of a family verse, but am not sure my husband is at that point yet. I may pick one out for myself for the year though. Meditating and living by a piece of His Word would certainly be a great habit to develop for doing so better with ALL of His Word.

May you and yours continue to be blessed and may He strengthen and guide you in living your mission well, especially in prioritizing Him, then family then everything else. It is hard for us “yes” people and “do-ers” to pause to choose that sometimes.

This is so great! Your blog is such a blessing to me and so many others. I love the mission statement, and especially the Scripture – such great verses! I do wish you had left the toilet paper part on the printable version – it’s a problem here at our house too! lol I may do a training session soon to teach the whole family how to replace the roll, hubby included.

Thank you so much. You so eloquently put into words what has been in my heart. You and Jolanthe have really ministered to me today and really spoken to where I am at. I have been struggling with depression for about 3 1/2 months and much of that is from feeling inadequate at what I’m doing, But with 2012, I am pulling myself up by my proverbial boot straps and accepting myself as God created me and living in what he ordained for me. Since I don’t want to waste precious time searching and “re-inventing another wheel”. I am gleaning from your wisdom and using your mission statement.

I love this! Thanks for sharing, I think we are going to do this or something similiar. It would be a good visible reminder for me. However, I think I need to post the toilet paper one in the bathroom along with please pick up the paper off the floor. Lol

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About Me

I am a Christian, a wife, and a homeschooling mom to four of the sweetest kiddos you'll ever meet. Our family has been greatly blessed by this blog and I pray that God uses it to bless your family as well. Confessions was started as a way to share resources, ideas and encouraging tips on how to make your homeschool fun! I hope you enjoy your visit!